USD/JPY: pause before growth resumes

Current trend

The American Dollar continues consolidating against the Yen after a significant growth in November and the beginning of December. The Dollar fell due to profit fixation and the pair continues moving within the range of 80 points amid the lack of important fundamental news from the US or Japan. However, the Yen was slightly supported by yesterday’s decision on interest rates. The Bank of Japan left the rate unchanged, and in commentaries expressed some optimism noting a gradual economic recovery.

Today extra attention needs to be paid to macroeconomic statistics from the US that could determine further pair’s dynamics. Data on the GDP, labour market and Durable Goods Orders is due.

Support and resistance

In the short-term, the price might fall to the lower border of the ascending channel at the level of 117.15 from where its growth will resume.
Technical indicators suggest a growth continuation. Bollinger bands are directed up while the upper line is at the level of 119.00, indicating the next possible target. MACD histogram is about to resume its growth in the positive zone.
Support levels: 117.15, 116.50, 115.50, 114.80, 114.00, 113.15, 112.30.
Resistance levels: 118.00, 118.25, 118.65, 119.00, 119.35, 120.05.

Trading tips

Long positions can be opened from current levels and from the level of 117.15 with targets at 119.00, 120.05 and stop-loss at 116.80.

GBP/USD: the pound stays under pressure

Current trend

During the trading sessions in the previous week the pound was lowering against the US dollar, renewing the local minimum from November, 2. Despite of the decreasing traders’ activity due to the upcoming New Year and Christmas holydays, the pound couldn’t became corrected, being under the pressure of new concerns due to the upcoming Brexit.

In addition rather controversial macroeconomical statistics from the UK were published on Friday, 23. The third quarter GDP index has grown by 0.6% QoQ, which is better than the predicted value by 0.1%. The YoY GDP has grown by 2.2%, which is worse than predicted value by 0.1%. The Business Investments indicator has grown only by 0.4% QoQ, while the experts predicted the growth by 0.9% QoQ. The YoY volume of the investments has decreased by 2.2% YoY against -1.6% in the previous quarter. The Index of Services has grown by 1.0% in October against +0.8% in September, while analysts were expecting the growth by 0.9% QoQ. The Current Account data are better than expected also. The third quarter deficit is 25.490 billion pounds, increased from the level of 22,080 billion, while the analysts expected the deficit to grow to the level of 27,450 billion pounds.

Support and resistance

Resistance levels: 1.2312 (minimum on December, 20), 1.2354, 1.2385 (minimum on November, 28), 1.2419, 1.2468, 1.2512 (maximum on November, 22), 1.2548, 1.2584 (the level of December, 14) and 1.2619.
Support levels: 1.2272 (testing during the morning session on December, 26), 1.2228 (current minimum from December, 23), 1.2171 and 1.2132 (the October, 28 level).
On the daily chart the Bollinger Bands indicator is lowering. The price range is slightly widening, giving to the “bears” the way to new local minima. However the indicator shows the possibility of the appearance of the correctional growth and the return of the price to the middle line area.

The MACD is lowering, keeping a sell signal (the histogram is below the signal line). It’s better to keep current shorts positions, but not to open new “bearish” ones.
The Stochastic is in the oversold area, is trying to reverse upwards, which can show the potential formation of the correctional growth in short or very short terms.

Trading scenario

Open long positions after the breakout of the level of 1.2312, if the technical indicators don’t contradict the “bullish” trend. Take profit is at 1.2419 or 1.2468. Stop loss is at 1.2210 and 1.2200. Implementation period: 2-3 days.
In case of the breakout of the level of 1.2228 downwards, it’s better to open short positions with the targets at 1.2132 and 1.2100. Stop loss is at 1.2280. Implementation period: 2-3 days.

XAG/USD: general analysis

Current trend

Yesterday the pair was growing against the “thin” market and no key macroeconomical news. It couldn’t consolidate above the strong resistance level of 16.00, and the silver began to decrease again.
Today the publication of the Pending Home Sales index can affect the market. The growth of the index above 0.5% will pressure the pair.

Support and resistance

On the daily chart the pair is trading in the narrow range of 15.85-16.05. The Bollinger Bands indicator has corrected downwards, as the price range has widened significantly, reflecting the high volatility of the continuing of the current trend. The MACD is in the negative zone, the volumes of the histogram are decreasing, keeping a sell signal. The Stochastic has reversed upwards near the border of the oversold area.
According to the indicators, short positions are more preferable.
Support levels: 15.82, 15.65, 15.47.
Resistance levels: 16.16, 16.41, 16.66, 16.94, 17.20.

Trading scenario

Open short positions at the current price with the target at 15.45. Stop loss is at 16.05. Implementation period: 1-2 days.
Open long positions at 16.15 with the target at 16.55. Stop loss is at 15.95. Implementation period: 1-2 days.

USD/JPY: the dollar is lowering in the end of the week

Current trend

During the trading session on Thursday, December, 29, the USD was lowering against the yen, reaching the new local minimum from the 14 of December and then renewed it during the morning session on the 30 of December. The “bearish” dynamics is due to the correctional moods before the New Year holydays. The investors usually close the most of positions in this time of the year, in addition, the dollar is greatly overbought against the yen as a result of the November growth. The USD index has reached the highest level from the 2002 year.

Also, the macroeconomical data in USA has affected the trading sessions on Thursday. The weekly Initial Jobless Claims index has lowered from 275K to 265K, which is by 1K worth than expected value. On the contrary, the Continuing Jobless Claims index has grown from 2.039 million to 2.102 million, while the analysts expected the lowering to 2.030 million.

Support and resistance

Resistance levels: 116.54 (actively testing during the morning session 30 December), 117.00, 117.58, 118.00, 118.24 (maximum on December, 20), 118.66 (maximum on December, 15) and 119.06 (the level of the February, 3, 2016).
Support levels: 116.04 (current local minimum, renewed during the morning session on December, 30), 115.61, 115.00 (the level on December, 14), 114.40 (maximum on December, 7), 114.00, 113.50, 113.00 (the level on December, 5) and 112.60.
On the daily chart the Bollinger Bands indicator is growing. The price range is rapidly narrowing, reflecting the appearance of the correctional dynamics. Stick to the channel trade strategy until the situation is clear.

The MACD is lowering, keeping rather strong sell signal (the histogram is below the signal line). Keep the short positions in the short term and do not open new positions.

The Stochastic has reached the overbought area, was corrected and reversed sideways. It’s better to wait for the clear signal.

Trading scenario

Open long positions after the breakout of 117.00. Take profit is at 118.24 or 118.66-119.06. Stop loss is at 116.50-116.35. Implementation period: 2-3 days.
The alternative scenario is the returning of the strong “bearish” trend and a downward breakout of the level of 116.04. In this case the “bearish” targets are at 114.40-114.00. Stop loss is at 116.54. Implementation period: 2-3 days.

UKBrent: general review

Current trend

During yesterday’s trading session, after it has tested the level of 58.44, the price of Brent crude oil fell by almost $3 per barrel, and at its lowest point towards the end of the session was trading near the level of 55.40. Most likely, such a serious decline was caused by a strengthening in the US Dollar amid the publication of positive macroeconomic statistics in the US. Market participants were selling oil futures that are expressed in Dollars.

Today markets are waiting for the publication of the Weekly Crude Oil Stock by the American Petroleum Institute, due at 11:30 pm (GMT+2).

Support and resistance

The instrument is correcting after the sharp fall. The upward correction could continue to the middle MA of Bollinger Bands (56.77).

Support levels: 55.79, 54.74, 53.55.
Resistance levels: 56.49, 57.29, 58.44.

Trading tips

Long positions can be opened after the price consolidation above the level of 56.77 with targets at 57.29, 58.44 and stop-loss at 56.40.
Short positions can be opened after the price consolidation below the level of 55.37 with targets at 54.74, 53.55 and stop-loss at 55.60.

GBP/USD: general review

Current trend

The pair significantly grew yesterday amid a substantial weakening in the US Dollar that remains under pressure after the publication of the FOMC Minutes in the middle of the week. The Minutes, despite been quite hawkish, showed that further path of monetary policy tightening in the US is uncertain as the effect to the economy of the promised fiscal stimulus by Donald Trump is unknown yet. The market seems to agree with the regulator about high level of uncertainty, as the Dollar continues falling despite strong statistics that keep coming out in the US.

Additional support to the Pound came from strong data on the Markit Services PMI. In December, the index rose from 55.2 to 56.2 points, well above forecasts.
Today attention needs to be paid to data on the Nonfarm Payrolls in the US.

Support and resistance

On the 4-hour chart, the pair turned down having failed its long-term SMA200, a breakout of which could lead to a growth continuation. However, the Composite has formed a divergence with the RSI and price, suggesting a decline possibility.
Support levels: 1.2322 (local lows), 1.2297 (November 2016 lows), 1.2206 (local lows).
Resistance levels: 1.2433 (local highs), 1.2505 (local highs), 1.2542 (local highs).

Trading tips

Long positions can be opened from the level of 1.2443 with targets at 1.2505, 1.2542 and stop-loss at 1.2412. Validity – 1-2 days.
Short positions can be opened from the level of 1.2297 with the target at 1.2206 and stop-loss at 1.2322. Validity – 1-2 days.

Brent: oil prices fell

Current trend

The price of Brent crude oil fell at the beginning of the week amid growing concerns that the OPEC countries are going to carry out their agreement to cut the production.

According to the experts, in the first days of January the Iraqi exports going through the port of Basra were the highest in the last 4 years. In addition, oil reserves in Iran’s floating storages significantly fell. In September 2016, their levels halved that indicates an increase in the country’s exports activities.
Oil prices were also pressured by data on the number of oilrigs in the US. For the week ending on 30 December, their number rose by 4 to 529 rigs, reaching the highest level since December 2015. The number of rigs in the US has been growing for the 10th consecutive week.

Support and resistance

Bollinger Bands on the daily chart turned sideways while the price range remains unchanged. MACD is falling and giving a quite strong sell signal. Stochastic is falling as well and approaching the border of the oversold zone.
The indicators recommend waiting for clearer trading signals.
Support levels: 55.07 (local low), 54.37, 53.91 (22 December low), 53.50, 52.68 (8 December low), 51.85.
Resistance levels: 55.77 (20 December high), 56.50, 57.10 (12 December high), 57.52 (6 January high), 58.10, 58.68 (15 July 2015 high), 59.51.

Trading tips

Long positions can be opened after the breakout of the level of 55.77 with targets at 57.10, 57.52 and stop-loss at 54.00. Validity – 2-3 days.
Short positions can be opened after the price consolidation below the level of 55.00 with targets at 53.50, 52.68 and stop-loss at 55.80. Validity – 2-3 days.

XAU/USD: technical analysis

XAU/USD, D1

On the daily chart, the instrument is growing along the upper line of Bollinger Bands. The price remains below its moving averages that turned horizontal. The RSI is approaching the border of the overbought zone. The Composite starts forming a divergence with the price and RSI suggesting a downward reverse possibility.

XAU/USD, H4

On the 4-hour chart, the instrument is growing along the upper line of Bollinger Bands. The price remains above its moving averages that start turning up. The RSI has been forming a Bearish divergence just below the border of the overbought zone. The Composite is about to retest its strong resistance.

Key levels

Support levels: 1190.65 (local lows), 1170.55 (38.2% Fibonacci retracement), 1146.96 (March 2015 lows).
Resistance levels: 1207.46 (50% retracement), 1215.03 (April 2016 lows), 1244.55 (61.8% retracement).

Trading tips

There is chance of the downward reverse in the price.
Short positions can be opened after the price rebound from the level of 1207.46 with targets at 1190.65, 1170.55 and stop-loss at 1215.03. Validity – 3-5 days.
Long positions can be opened after the breakout of the level of 1215.03 with the target at 1244.55 and stop-loss at 1205.13. Validity – 3-5 days.

FDAX: technical analysis

FDAX, D1

On the daily chart, the instrument is trading in the upper Bollinger band. The price remains above its moving averages that are directed up. The RSI is showing Bearish dynamics having broken down its longer MA. The Composite is representing similar pattern.

FDAX, H4

On the 4-hour chart, the instrument is trading just above the lower line of Bollinger Bands. The price remains above the EMA65, EMA130 and SMA200 that are turning horizontally. The RSI is testing its last week support. The Composite is approaching its support level as well.

Key levels

Support levels: 11484.2 (December 2016 highs), 11336.1 (local lows), 11220.7 (local lows).
Resistance levels: 11638.5 (local highs), 11663.1 (local highs), 11792.3 (July 2015 highs).

Trading tips

The price is consolidating above a strong support level at 11484.2. Its breakdown could lead to a downward correction continuation, however, the main trend remains ascending.
Short positions can be opened from the level of 11484.2 with the target at 11336.1 and stop-loss at 11524.0. Validity – 3-5 days.
Long positions can be opened from the level of 11663.1 with the target at 11792.3 and stop-loss at 11638.5. Validity – 3-5 days.

USD/JPY: general analysis

Current trend

During the yesterday trading session the USD continued to fall against all the main currencies, including Yen. Investors are fixing the profit on the dollar assets. After the great growth due to the positive expectation of the new President policy the traders want to see the confirmation of the Trump’s intentions to reform the economy. Yesterday the USA FRS members’ commentaries supported the USD and helped it not to fall further. The FRS members said that the USA economy has almost reached the target level of the inflation and now is almost involved. Yesterday Trump’s commentaries of the “too strong” dollar and its bad affection on the USA economy pressed the USD. The USD/JPY pair has decreased to the level of 112.56, but today on the opening session the price was corrected upwards. Today the USA Consumer Price Index (15:30 GMT+2), the Industrial Production data (16:15 GMT+2), Fed's Beige Book review (21:00 GMT+2) and Janet Yellen Speech (22:00 GMT+2) are worth traders attention.

Support and resistance

Support levels: 113.00, 112.56, 112.00.
Resistance levels: 113.50, 114.00, 114.47.

Trading scenario

On the 4-hour chart Bollinger Bands are pointed downwards, reflecting the development of the downward trend. Still the correction into the area of the middle line of the Bollinger Bands (113.86) is possible. The reversal from the level of 113.86 and the downward movement is possible.

The MACD histogram is in the negative zone, its volumes are decreasing, reflecting the development of the correction. In case of the consolidation of the price above the level of 114.00 the formation of the upward trend is possible.
Sell the pair after the price is set below the level of 113.00 with the target at 112.56, 112.00 and stop loss at 113.35.
Open the pair after the price is set above the level of 114.00 with the target at 114.47, 115.00 and stop loss at 113.65.

EUR/USD: the market is waiting for Trump’s inauguration

Current trend

Yesterday the Head of the ECB Mario Draghi’s speech affected the market, and the price has tested the level of 1.0600, today it’s the turn of America to do the same. The Head of the FRS Janet Yellen had a conference in the Stanford University She said that the correction of the monetary policy should be gradual, and that some of her questions connected to the election of Donald Trump are still unclear. Such commentaries didn’t satisfy the traders, and the price grew to 1.6290. Now the investors are waiting for the Donald Trump’s inauguration and his speech, which can cause a significant volatility in the market.

Support and resistance

The price is near the upper border of the downward trend and can lower to the level of 1.0600 (Fibonacci correction 23.6%), which is confirmed by the downward reversal of the Stochastic The key level is 1.0600, the breakout and the consolidation of the price below the middle line of the Bollinger Bands indicator (the area of 1.0550 in the current moment) will let the price to lower to the levels of 1.0450 and 1.0370. But the scenario of a reversal from the level of 1.0600-1.0550 is still possible. In this case the price will grow to 1.0750 (Fibonacci correction 38.2%) and 1.0865 (Fibonacci correction 50.0%).
Support levels: 1.0600, 1.0550, 1.0450, 1.0370.
Resistance levels: 1.0750, 1.0865.

Trading scenario

Open short positions if the price is set below 1.0600 and the middle line of the Bollinger Bands indicator with the target at 1.0450, 1.0370 and stop loss at 1.0610. Open long positions in case of a rebound from the levels of 1.0650 or 1.0550 with the target at 1.0750, 1.0865 and stop loss at 1.0570 and 1.0510 correspondingly.